Draining the pool's water imminently.

Born and bred in Rostock's Hansaviertel, the Neptune Swimming Hall is no stranger to the city, much like the Ostseestadion or the Teepott in Warnemünde. Established back in 1955, this traditional complex made a name for itself worldwide when it hosted the inaugural International Springboard Days in 1956. But now, it's time for a facelift. A hefty investment of a million Euros is needed to refurbish the 25-meter hall – and we're saying goodbye to it for nearly a year starting from the summer holidays in 2023.

Curious about what's happening behind the scenes? Check out the video above and get a sneak peek!

Farewell to the 25-meter hall for some time

Remember that spirited renovation project that's been underway? Well, it's entering its climax. The 25-meter pool, the diving pool equipped with springboards for all Olympic disciplines, and the two longitudinal spectator stands make up the heart of the Neptune Swimming Hall. As Stefan Bolkow, the head of the construction department at KOE, puts it, "We have to drain the water and set up complete space scaffolding in the entire hall to renew the ceiling construction."

Alas, these revitalization works can only take place in the complete absence of the 25-meter hall. "The closure commences during the summer holidays and will endure until March 2026," says Bölkow. While swimmers can migrate their training to the 50-meter hall during this hiatus, the divers in Rostock will undoubtedly feel the pinch. As Bölkow candidly remarks, "They will be severely affected, but we have to swallow this bitter pill now." And Hecht, KOE's director, voiced her sentiment: "We aim to complete the renovation as quickly as possible."

Sorry, divers – it's time to adapt

Hard hit by the closure is the Water Sports Club Rostock (WSC). As Wenke Warninck, the head coach of the WSC's youth, lamented, "This is a nasty blow for us. There are no swimming halls in all of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern we can fall back on." Consequently, the WSC will relocate its training to Berlin – the closest viable alternative. Additionally, the club is striving to secure training time in Lübeck and Hamburg. The WSC is hoping for grants to cover the travel expenses. Moreover, Wenke Warninck shares that they're looking for sponsors to provide minibuses for these journeys.

On the bright side, the revamped hall will soon boast energy-efficient LED lamps and a photovoltaic system with 600+ solar modules installed on the roof. To further trim electricity costs, the KOE also plans to refurbish the women's shower area during the tenure of the 25-meter hall's closure. In total, the renovation is projected to cost approximately eleven million Euros. Bölkow remains optimistic, believing that all work can be completed within the given timeframe: "We intend to bring the 25-meter hall back to full operation in March 2026."

The heating system's turn next

From 2015 to 2024, the Neptune Swimming Hall has already garnered a massive investment of 13.4 million Euros for repairs, conversions, and modernizations. But the jobs aren't over yet. After completing the renovation of the 25-meter hall, Bölkow plans to tackle the renewal of the heating system in 2024 – a monumental endeavor that also involves centralizing the preparation of hot water across the entire building complex.

Another sustainable measure will be the installation of a solar thermal plant on the roof of the 50-meter hall. The expected cost for these modifications is around 7.4 million Euros. Bölkow estimates that the entire project will take up to three years, although some construction can take place while the hall remains open. The good news? The Neptune Swimming Hall will continue operating throughout all these developments, minimizing the inconvenience for school, club, and competitive sports.

Once the renovation reaches its peak, the 25-meter pool, diving pool with Olympics-standard springboards, and the spectator stands will be drained and scaffolded for ceiling construction work.
The closure of the 25-meter hall, starting from the summer holidays in 2023, will last until March 2026, impacting swimmers and divers alike.
The Water Sports Club Rostock (WSC) is moving its training to Berlin and attempting to secure time in Lübeck and Hamburg due to the closure.
Post the renovation, the refurbished 25-meter hall will feature energy-efficient LED lamps, a solar power system, and a revamped women's shower area, with a total cost of approximately eleven million Euros.
Beyond the revitalization of the 25-meter hall, plans are in place to upgrade the heating system in 2024 and install a solar thermal plant on the roof of the 50-meter hall at an estimated cost of 7.4 million Euros.
Boasting several sustainable measures, the Neptune Swimming Hall aims to centralize hot water preparation across the complex and continue operation throughout the renovation stages.